Speed-indicating attachment for vehicles.



PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

0. FJHIAKES.

SPEED INDIGATING ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLES.

8mm. 0210 Wjiimw.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Patented November 1, 1904.

PATENT OEETQE.

OTTO F. HAKES, OF DUNKIRK, NEW YORK.

SPEED-INDICATING ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,565, dated Nov mblil, 1904:.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OTTO F. HAKES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dunkirk, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Speed-IndicatingAttachments for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of speed-indicators forvehicles, and has particular relation to devices for indicating apredetermined speed of an automobile or similar vehicle.

The objects of my invention are to provide indicating attachments forvehicles which will be operative when the vehicle has attained or passeda certain speed, to so construct my improved indicator or signal as toindicate the attainment of a predetermined speed by a visible or audiblesignal, or both, and to produce other improvements the details of whichwill be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

These objects may be accomplished in the manner illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in whicl Figure 1 is a face view of theindicating clevice with the casing and signal-plate broken away on thelines 1 l of Fig. 3 for the sake of clearness in illustration. Fig. 2 isa side elevation of the external casing. Fig. 3 is a central verticalsection on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail view in elevation ofthe signal or indicator body. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating themanner of connecting the visible signal with its operating lever or rod,and Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the members of the device.

In the embodiment of my invention as disclosed in the present drawingssimilar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Although it will be understood that various changes in the constructionof my invention which may come within scope of the claims may be madewithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof the invention, the construction illustrated may be described asfollows.

1 represents a vehicle-wheel hub or hub extension, of which wheel 2represents parts or portions of thespokes. On the hub 1 is a sleeve 3,the inner and preferably conical end portion of which is externallythreaded, as shown. Upon this inner and threaded end portion of thesleeve is adapted to be screwed a nut 4, having an inner end flange 4 Onthe sleeve 3 and on the outer side of the nut 4 is rotatably mounted acollar 5, the latter having a peripheral ball-raceway adapted to containbearing-balls 6, the outer portions of which run in an internal racewayformed in the ring-like head 7 of a depending arm or rod 8, saidring-like head loosely embracing the collar 5. At the lower end of thearm 8 is carried a suitable bell-body 9.

10 represents an outer end disk, which is secured centrally to the huband which is of such circumference as to engage the outer end of thesleeve 3, as shown.

To the outer end of the collar 5 is secured the central portion of anindicator-plate or signal-body 11. the latter comprising a disklikeface, from the periphery of which extends inwardly an inclined orflaring side flange 11. The signal-body 11 has the outer surface of itsinclined or flaring side portion 11 divided into equal-sized sections 12and 18, these sections being alternately painted or otherwise coloredred and white.

Connected with the nut 4 at a point on one side thereof is alaterally-extending arm 14, and with this arm is pivotally connected at14 a rod 15, which rod, being inclined from the arm 14, passes, asshown, loosely through a slotted opening in a guide and stop-lug 16,which also rises from the nut 4. The rod 15, which normally lies in theinner end of the slot of the lug 16, carries on its free end a suitableweight 17, which is slidable upon the rod 15 and may be adjustablysecured thereto at any point by means of the set-screw 17 This weight,which is preferably in the nature of a disk, although other suitableforms may be employed, has pivotally connected therewith an angularbell-tapper 18. The

rod 15 between the lug 16 and weight 17 has connected therewith one endof a suitable spring 19, the remaining end of which is connected with aprojecting lug 4 of the nut 4, said spring operating to normally holdthe rod 15 in the inner end portion of the slotted l opening of the lug16. With the rod 15 and near the center of its length is connected theinner curved or hooked end 20 of a lever rod or bar 20. The upperportion of this leyer-rod 2O curves about one side of the nut 1 andpassing through a slotted opening in the inner end of the arm 1&, saidopening being indicated by dotted lines at 21, extends to and isconnected with the signal-body 11.

lonnectcd with the flange 1 of the nut- 4: is the rear and centralportion of a casing 22, this casing preferably being of the truncatedcone form shown and loosely embracing or inclosing the signal orindicator body 11. The inclined periphery of this casing is formed atregular intervals with glass-covered openings 23, which openings arearranged to correspond substantially in size and arrangement with thewhite and red sections on the signalbody. Owing to the connectionheretofore described between the rod 15 and the signalbody, the positionof the latter with relation to the casing will be determined by theposition of said rod 15, and when the latter is in the positiondisclosed in full lines in the drawings it will be understood that thesignal is so held by the rod 20 as to bring the white sections of thesignal opposite the openings 23 of the casing.

In operation the rotation of the wheel and its hub will result in acorresponding rotation of the parts forming the indicating apparatusheretofore described, with the exception of the bell-hanger comprisingthe arm 8 and ring-head 7, which, owing to its loose and ball-bearingconnection with the collar 5, will remain pendent. The tension of thespring 19 is such as to insure the retention of the rod 15 in the innerend portion of the slot of the lug 16 until the wheel, hub, or otherpart of the vehicle from which motion is contributed reaches or passes apredetermined speed sufficient to cause through centrifugal force theswinging movement of the rod 15 to the position indicated in dottedlines or to the outer end of the slotted opening of the lug 16. In thislast-described movement of the rod 15 it will be understood that throughthe connection therewith of the signal-body the latter will beindependently rotated or thrown sufficiently to bring its red sections12 opposite the openings 23 of the casing 522. The red signal thusdisplayed will indicate that the speed of the vehicle has reached orpassed a certain limit, and it is obvious that while this or a greaterrate of speed is maintained the red portions of the signal will becontinuously displayed. It will also be understood that the rotarymovement imparted as above described to various parts of my device willbe suflicient to cause the pivoted angular bell tapping device 18 toswing outward, producing a ringing contact with the bell 9 at eachrevolution, the swinging or pivotal arrangement of the bell-tapper beingsuch as to permit of the tapper passing the bell with eomparative ease.Through the bell-ringing operation imparted as above described it willbe understood that in addition to the visible signal displayed asdescribed an audible signal or alarm is provided which will beparticularly useful in indicating the speed limit at night.

By having the weight 17 adjustable longitudinally upon the rod 15 thedevice may be adjusted to be operative at different rates of speed bymoving the weight inwardly or toward the axis of the device for acomparatively low rate of speed and outwardly for a higher rate ofspeed. In view of the fact that the prohibitive rate of speed formotorvehicles varies in different sections of the country thisadjustable feature of the weight is very important, for the reason thatit permits of the indicator being set for any predetermined rate ofspeed, and thereby adapts it for universal use.

WVhile I have shown and described my present form of speed-indicatingmechanism in substantially direct connection with the wheelhub of avehicle, it is obvious that a suitable direct or indirect connection ofthe same with the wheel-hub, axle, or any rotary part of the vehiclemight be employed and that the in dicating mechanism may be suitablylocated with reference to a vehicle body or frame.

A very important feature of the present invention resides in the factthat each of the rotatable members is driven from the part whose speedis to be indicated, whereby separate means for actuating one of themembers is obviated and an exceedingly simple device is produced.

It will be understood that my improved speed-indicating device will beof great utility when used in connection with automobiles to indicatewhether or not the speed limit prescribed by law is being complied with.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening, and an internal concentric rotatable member visiblethrough the sight-opening and capable of being rotatably shifted withrespect to the casing when the rotation reaches a predetermined rate toexpose a predetermined portion of the inner member at the sight-openingof the casing.

2. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening, a visual indieator pivotally mounted concentricallywithin the casing and capable of either simultaneous or independentrotation with respect thereto, and means for rotatably shifting one ofthe members independently of the other when the rotating movementreaches a predetermined 3. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatablecasing having a sight-opening, a visual indicator pivotally mountedconcentrically within the casing and capable of either simultaneous orindependent rotation with respect thereto, and means for rotatabl yshifting the indicator independently of the casing when the rotatingmovement of the latter reaches a predetermined rate to aline apredetermined portion of the indicator with the sight-opening of thecasing.

a. A speed-indicator embodying a pair of rotatable members having theircenters in the same straight line, and centrifugal means for rotatablyshifting one of the members when the rotation reaches a predeterminedrate.

5. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening, a rotatable concentric indicator visible through thesightopening, and centrifugal means for rotatably shifting the indicatorto expose a predetermined portion thereof through the sight-opening ofthe casing when the rotation reaches a predetermined rate.

6. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casinghavinga sight-opening,a concentric rotatable indicator visible through the sightopening, andcentrifugal means carried by one of the members and connected to theother for rotatably shifting the latter independently of the former toexpose a predetermined portion of the indicator at the sight-opening ofthe casing.

7. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casinghaving a sight-opening,an internal concentric rotatable indicator, and centrifugal meanscarried by the casing and connected to the indicator for rotatablyshifting the latter independently of the former to expose apredetermined portion of the indicator at the sight-opening of thecasing.

8. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening, a visual indicator pivotally mounted concentricallywithin the casing and capable of either simultaneous or independentrotation with respect thereto, means for rotatably shifting one of themembers independently of the other when the rotating movement reaches apredetermined rate to aline a predetermined portion of the indicatorwith the sight-opening of the casing, a normally inactive audiblesignal, and means carried by the shifting means for actuating theaudible signal when said shifting means is active.

9. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening, a visual indicator mounted concentrically within thecasing, centrifugal means carried by one of the members and connected tothe other for rotatably shifting the latter member independently of theformer, a relatively fixed and normally inactive bell member mountedindependently of the casing and indicator members, and bellactuatingmeans carried by the centrifugal shifting means for ringing the bellwhen said shifting means is active.

10. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening in the periphery thereof, a visual indicator pivotedconcentrically within the casing and provided with diflerently-coloredperipheral portions, and means to rotatably shift the indicator toexpose apredetermined colored portion of its periphery at thesight-opening of the casing when the rotation reaches a predeterminedrate.

11. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening, a concentric rotatable indicator member visible throughthe sight-opening, a regulator-rod pivoted eccentrically within thecasing, and a connection between the rod and the indicator to rotatablyshift the latter under the centrifugal movement of the rod when therotation reaches a predetermined rate.

12. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening and provided with a central bearing-sleeve, an internalindicator member mounted to rotate upon the sleeve, a regulator-rodpivoted upon the sleeve, and a connection between the rod and theindicator to rotatably shift the latter when the rotation reaches apredetermined rate.

13. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening and a central bearing-sleeve, an arm carried by andprojected laterally from the sleeve, a regulator-rod pivoted to the arm,a spring connection between the rod and the sleeve, an indicator memberrotatably mounted upon the sleeve, and a connection between the rod andthe indicator to rotatably shift the latter under the centrifugal actionof the rod.

14:. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening and a central bearing-sleeve, an indicator memberrotatably mounted upon the sleeve, a regulatorrod pivoted to one side ofthe sleeve, a weight adjustable upon the rod, and a connection betweenthe rod and the indicator to rotatably shift the latter undercentrifugal action of the rod.

15. A speed-indicator embodying a rotatable casing having asight-opening and a central bearing-sleeve, an indicator rotatablymounted upon the sleeve, a collar loosely embracing the sleeve so as notto rotate therewith, a bell hung from the collar, a springpressed rodpivotally connected to one side of the sleeve, a connection between therod and the indicator to rotatably shift the latter under centrifugalaction of the rod, and a bell-tapper carried by the rod and disposed tostrike the bell when the rod is active to shift the indicator member.

16. ,A speed-indicator embodying a pair of members having their centersin the same straight line and simultaneously rotatable When active undernormal conditions, one of IIO which members is capable of beingrotatably shifted with respect to the other when the simultaneousrotation reaches a predeterl'nined rate, and means to shift theshi't'table member and capable of being set for action at differentrates of speed.

17. A speed-indicator embodying a pair of concentric members, which aresimultaneously rotatable when active under normal conditions, one ofwhich members is capable of being rotatably shifted independently of theother, centrifugal means for rotatably shifting the shiftable memberwhen the simulta' neous rotation reaches a predetermined rate, andcapable of being set for action at different rates of speed.

18. A speed-indicator embodying a rotata- OTTO F. HAKES.

In presence of- C. C. SHEPHERD, A. L. PHELPS.

